By He Jiayu

On 21 July, the 2026 ‘Embrace China: China Roots-seeking Tour’ Summer Camp (Nantong) opened at Nantong Vocational University. Overseas Chinese youths from the Netherlands and the United States gathered in Nantong, and started a cultural roots-seeking journey.

In the 10-day summer camp, the children went to Nantong Museum and Haohe Night Painting Scenic Area, to experience the scenery of the city and look for memories of culture as they walked.

Though she does not return to China often, 18-year-old overseas camper Ji Jiaying has been consistently learning Chinese. She is very interested in traditional culture and food of China. ‘It is a very good opportunity to come to Nantong to experience in depth and learn.’ She also hopes that she can share what she saw and learnt with her family and friends, to let more overseas peers get to know real China.

【背景阅读】

海外华裔青少年相聚南通

7月21日，2026“亲情中华·中国寻根之旅”夏令营南通营，在南通职业大学开营。来自荷兰、美国的华裔青少年相聚南通，开启文化寻根之旅。

为期10天的夏令营里，孩子们走进南通博物苑、中国珠算博物馆、濠河夜画，在行走中感受城市风光、寻找文化记忆；体验蓝印花布扎染、泥塑、剪纸书法、汉服，在指尖上感受非遗传承的温度，在互动游戏中结下深厚友谊。

虽然不常回到中国，但18岁的海外营员季嘉怡一直坚持学习中文，对中国的传统文化、美食都很感兴趣，“这是一次非常好的机会，来南通深度体验、学习一下”。她也希望回去后把看到、学到的分享给亲人、朋友，让更多海外同龄人了解真实的中国，感受中华文化的魅力。